In apparent recognition of his propagation of peace in the restive Niger-Delta region, consistent hitmaker, Enetimi Odom, the musician popularly known as Timaya, has been appointed a Peace Ambassador by the Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace, IIFWP, a division of the United Nations.

According to Dr. Hak Ja Haan Moon, co-founder of the IIFWP, Timaya was especially chosen for this honour because he is “one of those individuals whose lives exemplify the ideal of living for the sake of others, and who dedicate themselves to practices which promote the founding ideals of the IIFWP.”

Among other things, the Peace Ambassadorship comes with a special number plate for the singer.

Reacting to the honour, Timaya says, “I am happy. Honestly, I am. This goes to show that the ideals I am using the instrumentality of my music to preach are not in vain. I have said it in my music and at different fora that Nigeria can only progress unless the Federal Government pays more than lip-service to the agitations of the people of the Niger-Delta. It is even a good thing that the President is from that region which means that things will surely get better. I thank those who deemed it expedient to make me a Peace Ambassador and I promise not to relent in this struggle.”

Moon says further that the new Ambassador for Peace, like others from all over the world, is expected to contribute to the fulfilment of the hope of all ages, a unified world of peace wherein the spiritual and material dimensions of life are harmonized. Thus, Timaya joins a short list of highly rated celebrities including D’fbanj, Ini Edo and Ramsey Noah who are also UN Ambassadors. Interestingly, this recent honour is coming a few weeks after the ‘Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa’ as he is also known was specially recognised and appreciated for his outstanding contributions to the social and cultural development of Sierra-Leone at the country’s 50th Independence anniversary.

Meanwhile, Timaya and his Dem Mama Soldiers are currently on a 10-country tour of Europe spanning Holland, Greece, Spain, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland and France among others. During the trip, he will perform at the FIFA Women’s World Cup holding in Germany between June 26 and July 17 where the Super Falcons of Nigeria are participating.

So, any Tom, Dick and Harry can now be named a UN Ambassador